Blog
Walking the Isle of Wight's Chalk Downs
The Isle of Wight lies off England's southern coast and is the perfect place for hiking and cycling. I explored its magnificent chalk downs in May.
7 Family-Friendly Walks Near Newton Abbot
There's a big population in the Newton Abbot area and many of us love the great outdoors. I know plenty of you have kids who also love running along muddy forest trail, but planning hikes can be tricky, so I've done it for you.
Running 15 miles from Exeter to Dartmoor
I signed up for a 20-mile trail race so I figured it was time I started increasing my running distance and including big hills. Rather suddenly, without much planning...
Book Review: Coastwise by Peter Firstbrook
It's hard to describe just how fascinating this book is for anyone who loves the British coastline. From sea stacks and estuaries to avocets and the dreaded quicksand, Peter Firstbrook has made room for everything you might want to know about the British shore.
Review: A Spotter's Guide to Countryside Mysteries
A Spotter's Guide to Countryside Mysteries is the new book from naturalist John Wright and reveals the secrets by a multitude of countryside oddities.
Snoozing in a Cornish Bell Tent: a review of Higher Pendeen Camping
Only in the morning could I see the full extent of Higher Pendeen's wilding. The field is lined with unmown grasses and wildflowers and large central chucks of land are the same. It's basically accommodation managed by bees, butterflies and all the other creatures that see a blade of grass as quite a long journey. It's glorious.
St Mawgan's Japanese Garden: getting Zen in Cornwall
Deep in Cornwall’s steep valleys lie plenty of secrets but none perhaps so extraordinary as the Japanese Garden in St Mawgan. I came here on book research and felt like I wanted to stay forever.
I Did a Go Tri Triathlon and it was Excellent
On 25 July 2021, I did the Torbay Triathlon's Go Tri event. It was the perfect blend of Type 1 and Type 2 fun and I highly recommend it, even if you've never done a triathlon before (I hadn't either).
How to Get Involved with Women's Festival of Cycling: 17 July – 1 August
The Women's Festival of Cycling is back and better than ever. Running between 17 July and 1 August, there are tons of virtual events, sessions and workshops to get stuck into whether you haven't cycled since childhood or you're two-wheeling every moment you get.
Sitting Down with Nature: the sound and the silence
I sit down in a deserted woodland and wait. Of course, it's only humans that are absent apart from me, because I'm soon visited by other creatures.There is much to be gained in the sound and the silence.
Riding the Dartmoor Way Cycle Route in Two Days (Plus Video!)
The Dartmoor Way is a wonderful, 90-mile cycle route around the national park's hilly perimeter. It has everything from lanes and gorges to freely roaming sheep and rushing waterfalls.
Embracing the Joy of Trail Running: getting out of my head and into my body
Trail running brings me into the present moment in a way running on tarmac never did. Many of the trails I've been running on here are veritable obstacle courses. Tree roots weave across the earthen paths, raised perfectly to capture an unsuspecting foot. Mud stretches across the trails like a cat taking a sun bath. Beech trees reach their downy leaves to head height, silent sideline supporters going for the high five.
10k Hike: Shaptor Woods and the Bovey Valley
Shaptor Woods in East Dartmoor is a phenomenal woodland packed with bluebells, birds and magnificent views. This 10k hike starts in Bovey Tracey, takes you through the glorious woods and back along part of the Wray Valley Trail.
30km East Dartmoor Ride Route (with map)
Dartmoor is a place of striking granite tors, pockets of temperate rainforest, wide open moorland and secluded river valleys. There are endless cycle routes to explore thanks to the lanes, byways, bridle paths and open moor that you can explore with reckless abandon. This is a fantastic 30km ride in the east of the national park.
Video: Exeter to Sidmouth on NCR 2
As my partner was making a rare work visit to Sidmouth, I hatched a plan. Forget work, I'd start the bank holiday weekend doubly early and spend Thursday afternoon riding to Sidmouth and catch a lift home.This route follows the NCR 2 and large sections are traffic free and, as I discovered, freshly tarmacked.
Hiking and Cycling from Okehampton Train Station
Okehampton train station is re-opening for daily trains in late 2021 and that means the numerous trails passing through the town are even easier to access! Hiking and cycling trails that use the town include seven named ways, many of which are multi-day.Not bad for a fairly isolated moor town!
Cycling Up Hills: How to Motivate Yourself
Cycling up hills is never easy but it's no reason to avoid riding. As a pro-grumbler but an avid cyclist, here are my tips for getting the motivation for cycling up hills. Frankly, much of it applies to general life too. Especially the first one.
Not Every Ride/Walk/Whatever is Going to be #Amazing
With only one whole day a week in which to go on a Long Expedition with a part-time sun and fickle weather, the pressure to plan and execute a glorious adventure can run away with itself.But not every ride and walk are going to blow you away and sometimes it's the smaller things that provide the joy.
Running in the Cold: How to Motivate Yourself
You are not running for the you in this moment. You run for the you who stands on the doorstep at the end, sweaty and exhilarated and proud because yet again you've beaten inertia. That old foe.
Cycling the Wray Valley Trail + Teign River (Video and Route)
Stretching from Bovey Tracey right on the south eastern edge of the Dartmoor, to around 7 miles up to Moretonhampstead, the Wray Valley Trail mostly uses a disused railway line.Not content with that, I decided we'd carry on to the Teign river and get some mud on the tires and sweat on the brow. This is a beautiful 22-mile route with plenty of views!